- Joined
- 4 September 2000
- Messages
- 329
Thanks!
Specs - 17"x8" ET45 & 18"x10" ET47 Rear tire size 265/35/18. Front tire size front 215/40/17.
Magnum Opus...My Quest for Driving Perfection (1993 Coupe Build).
- Thread starter DeHaldaswerth
- Start date
Specs - 17"x8" ET45 & 18"x10" ET47 Rear tire size 265/35/18. Front tire size front 215/40/17.
Be honest I like the looks of the fat fives on the lowered stance. Classic.
Having said that, the Technos are an appropriate 90's choice.
- Joined
- 4 September 2000
- Messages
- 329
In my ongoing effort to enhance what I love about the NSX while also reducing weight, I jettisoned the airbag and replaced the assembly with a Bellworks hub and NSX-R steering wheel. I'm not sure I can explain the physics, but the lighter wheel definitely enhances steering feel. Highly recommended and I only wish I had done it sooner. I'd say one of the best mods I've done, and not difficult to install. It's a bit of challenge to get those plugs all tucked into the hub, but with a little perseverance, it all fits. The factory horn button with the Honda H is the crowning touch. Sometimes the smallest things seem to produce the most satisfaction...I just got back from a drive in the canyon, and I'm still smiling.
I did the same only using the full NSX-R hub. Good choice. I was uncomfortable sitting behind a 30 year old air bag.
Hmm, I think I’ll use the 30-year old airbag reason to upgrade my steering wheel.
- Joined
- 4 September 2000
- Messages
- 329
The primary physical connection of a driver to his car is seating, steering and shift feel. While the steering is always going to be the most dynamic of the three, the seating is a close second. The NSX has been universally praised for its seating comfort, especially given the amazing lateral support provided by the factory bolsters. The seating is also relatively lightweight. Having said all that, there is still, in my opinion, a little room for improvement, as evidenced by Honda's choice to use Recaro buckets in the NSX-R.
I decided to try a set of Recaro Pole Position seats in red, with FRP shells. Overall weight savings, according to my scale, was about 22 LBS. per seat. However, what I like just as much as the weight savings is the connection to the car that I feel, together with the perfect lateral support in the canyon. Love these things. I'm a tall 5-10 and weigh about 185. The Pole Positions (non ABE) are perfect for me.
I used the Science of Speed low mount rails. Luckily, the sliders, when moved all the way forward, are perfect. However, if my legs were 1/2" shorter, they would not have worked. It's perfect though...I can slide all the way back for easy ingress and egress, and simply ram it all the way forward for the perfect fit. LUCKY. SOS sliders are well made and of impeccable quality, which seems to usually be the case for Chris and his crew. Love those guys, and they have helped me with many a project over the years.
I decided to try a set of Recaro Pole Position seats in red, with FRP shells. Overall weight savings, according to my scale, was about 22 LBS. per seat. However, what I like just as much as the weight savings is the connection to the car that I feel, together with the perfect lateral support in the canyon. Love these things. I'm a tall 5-10 and weigh about 185. The Pole Positions (non ABE) are perfect for me.
I used the Science of Speed low mount rails. Luckily, the sliders, when moved all the way forward, are perfect. However, if my legs were 1/2" shorter, they would not have worked. It's perfect though...I can slide all the way back for easy ingress and egress, and simply ram it all the way forward for the perfect fit. LUCKY. SOS sliders are well made and of impeccable quality, which seems to usually be the case for Chris and his crew. Love those guys, and they have helped me with many a project over the years.
Last edited:
- Joined
- 4 September 2000
- Messages
- 329
Recaro sells the Pole Position ABE in Carbon Fiber shells that are even lighter, but they are only available in black. I may opt to try them, and then transfer these red seats to my Porsche 964 Turbo. For the moment, I love the zing of the red. Also considering converting to OEM red carpet if I keep the red seats...
- Joined
- 4 September 2000
- Messages
- 329
Also, for those who stumble upon this later, when using the non-ABE Pole Positions, you much also find a seat belt buckle alternative. The prevailing wisdom is to use the rear belt buckle from a UK market Integra Type R. I found mine on Ebay from a British supplier.
- Joined
- 4 September 2000
- Messages
- 329
While I was at it, I finally decided to correct something that for me has always beens aesthetically questionable... the draped leather door cards. At least with the factory seats, they match, even if I don't love them. But with the Recaro's installed, it's really jarring. 
In keeping with my goal to use only OEM parts, I reached out to the Mother Ship in Japan... Alancantara door cards
And after a little love with the door panels that had probably never been removed before...
I made them all pretty. Now I ask you... don't you think this is an enormous improvement?
In keeping with my goal to use only OEM parts, I reached out to the Mother Ship in Japan... Alancantara door cards
And after a little love with the door panels that had probably never been removed before...
I made them all pretty. Now I ask you... don't you think this is an enormous improvement?
- Joined
- 4 September 2000
- Messages
- 329
And finally, before I depart to ingest my Turkey and Gravy, a completely gratuitous photo of two of the greatest automobiles ever conceived...
- Joined
- 5 October 2010
- Messages
- 42
^^^what he said. Love this thread. Great work and gorgeous ride(s). @DeHaldaswerth 
Yes very nice mods. Isn't this weight reduction thing FUN! A friend took me for a ride recently in his 570 WHP 383 Anglia which is close to a 10 second car (you sit up high with an extremely short wheelbase -read scary), yet my likely 12.8 second car (assuming ideal gearing for the quarter which we don't have) feels as fast and of course WAY more fun in my/our opinions. Only thing is when you get "obsessed'' with the weight thing it can get a little lonely as even my 100 lb wife often gets left at home! Happy holidays - but don't gain any weight! he-he
- Joined
- 4 September 2000
- Messages
- 329
I don't have a wheel problem... I can stop any time I want to.
I blame it all on my childhood, when I was only allowed one pair of shoes for each school year. It was hard to make a pair of converse last that long, but with the help of a little duct tape, I could usually make it work.
Anyway, I love wheels, but the big problem with any form of aftermarket wheel is weight. Those three piece 18/19" wheels with myriad fasteners look cool, but they kill performance. Of course, it's all compounded since it's not just mass, it's rotational mass. So, as a part of my quest to add lightness, I've been on a campaign to find the lightest possible wheels for my project.
(BTW, I like the 17/18 fitment for the NSX. I think it looks right on the car, and if carefully selected, you can actually save weight over the fat fives despite that fact that you are going +1.)
I hinted earlier that I am in the midst of procuring the lightest wheels that have ever been installed on an NSX. Those wheels are still in production, so I'll hold the big reveal for now. HOWEVER, in the interim, I have found a super light set, much lighter than the fat fives and also lighter than the Tecnomagnesio wheels I had on the car until today. Behold the lightness:
I blame it all on my childhood, when I was only allowed one pair of shoes for each school year. It was hard to make a pair of converse last that long, but with the help of a little duct tape, I could usually make it work.
Anyway, I love wheels, but the big problem with any form of aftermarket wheel is weight. Those three piece 18/19" wheels with myriad fasteners look cool, but they kill performance. Of course, it's all compounded since it's not just mass, it's rotational mass. So, as a part of my quest to add lightness, I've been on a campaign to find the lightest possible wheels for my project.
(BTW, I like the 17/18 fitment for the NSX. I think it looks right on the car, and if carefully selected, you can actually save weight over the fat fives despite that fact that you are going +1.)
I hinted earlier that I am in the midst of procuring the lightest wheels that have ever been installed on an NSX. Those wheels are still in production, so I'll hold the big reveal for now. HOWEVER, in the interim, I have found a super light set, much lighter than the fat fives and also lighter than the Tecnomagnesio wheels I had on the car until today. Behold the lightness:
- Joined
- 4 September 2000
- Messages
- 329
Bonus points to anyone who can guess the wheels... I know its hard to make out, but if anyone can figure it out, it oughta be the crowd here
- Joined
- 4 September 2000
- Messages
- 329
Winner winner chicken dinner! You nailed it.
- Joined
- 4 September 2000
- Messages
- 329
I've always liked the Prodrives, mostly because they are 17/18 renditions of the OEM wheels. I had this brilliant idea to send them out to be stripped, brushed, and then finished in clear. The Honda center caps are actually aluminum blanks with the Honda insignia custom machined by a local shop, and then painted.
I'm pleased with the outcome, and the net weight savings is about 14 pounds (total) over the Technos and 11 pounds (total) over the tiny little fat fives. That's a really significant loss of rotational mass, which favorably affects acceleration and braking, but also enhances suspension response as a reduction in unsprung mass. What's not to love?
I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I'm fully burned out on black/dark wheels. There's something about bright wheels that has a retro feel to me, and the bare aluminum look, to me at least, telegraphs the concept of going as lightweight as possible. I also like how it mimics the OEM seven spokes that I had on my 99 Targa and my 01 Coupe.
With all due humility, I feel like I'm slowly sneaking up on my concept of the perfect car...
I'm pleased with the outcome, and the net weight savings is about 14 pounds (total) over the Technos and 11 pounds (total) over the tiny little fat fives. That's a really significant loss of rotational mass, which favorably affects acceleration and braking, but also enhances suspension response as a reduction in unsprung mass. What's not to love?
I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I'm fully burned out on black/dark wheels. There's something about bright wheels that has a retro feel to me, and the bare aluminum look, to me at least, telegraphs the concept of going as lightweight as possible. I also like how it mimics the OEM seven spokes that I had on my 99 Targa and my 01 Coupe.
With all due humility, I feel like I'm slowly sneaking up on my concept of the perfect car...
Last edited:
Those wheels look perfect! I feel the same about black wheels, why do they have to be on everything these days?
I feel the same about black wheels, why do they have to be on everything these days?- Joined
- 4 September 2000
- Messages
- 329
Amen, and I kinda don't want it to be done... Just want to dream and tinker with it until they put me in the grave.
Honcho's epic build would be hard to duplicate. Truly inspiring.
- Joined
- 4 September 2000
- Messages
- 329
Tecnos: 17x8 ET45, 18x10 ET47. I sourced them here on Prime. I had them refinished in bright silver after they arrived. Love them. (socalx, something in the back of my mind makes me think I may have bought them from you...is that even possible?)
Prodrive: Also bought them here on Prime from RC-DEVIL, 17x7.5+44, 18x9.5+44. Sent them out for strip and then machine finish.
I'm running 215/40/17, 265/35/18s Nexens on both sets of wheels. This gives the Tecnos a bit of stretch, but nothing bad.
Last edited:
